Security Guards Salary in Pennsylvania
Security Guards in Pennsylvania earn a median annual wage of $37,050 —2.6% below the national median of $38,020. That ranks PA #34 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.87×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for security guards
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Pennsylvania is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $64,210 | $30.87 | 15,880 | 2.74 |
| 2 | Alaska | $47,480 | $22.83 | 2,100 | 0.78 |
| 3 | Washington | $47,100 | $22.64 | 25,800 | 0.88 |
| 4 | Vermont | $45,550 | $21.90 | 930 | 0.37 |
| 5 | Oregon | $45,500 | $21.88 | 12,200 | 0.75 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $45,200 | $21.73 | 2,450 | 0.43 |
| 7 | Colorado | $45,150 | $21.71 | 16,890 | 0.71 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $44,670 | $21.48 | 23,930 | 0.80 |
| 9 | New York | $44,240 | $21.27 | 134,700 | 1.68 |
| 10 | Virginia | $43,640 | $20.98 | 34,870 | 1.03 |
Related occupations in Pennsylvania
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Pennsylvania.
| Occupation | Pennsylvania median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $85,470 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,460 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $73,460 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,480 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,400 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $97,580 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do security guards make in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage for security guards in Pennsylvania is $37,050, or $17.81 per hour. That is 2.6% below the national median of $38,020.
What is the entry-level security guards salary in Pennsylvania?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $30,050 per year ($14.45/hour). The 25th percentile is $34,570.
How many people work as security guards in Pennsylvania?
About 43,610 people work in this occupation in Pennsylvania, or 7.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for security guards?
Pennsylvania ranks #34 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.87x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays security guards the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $64,210 per year, followed by Alaska ($47,480) and Washington ($47,100).